The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-06-30

true OF Shlloh, ChlcKamauss, anu +, O'iiTl
battles in the west, and IL ls
true of Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, second Ma
nasas. Charlottesville Sharpsburg, GettysDurg
the Wilderness and Spotsylyanla, not TO- mention
ments of the Army of Northern Virginie. How
shall account for this fact in our story! HOW
could it be that IN four ears war between the Two
sections Of country, arrayed in the most de5truC-
tive and bloody contest of arms that has ever OC-
Cured upon this EARTH that no decisive battle
should be fought: Why is the percentage ut the
lose in our war three times as great as IN tue Dat
ties that have settled the destinies OF
Europe: | answer that II was
the private soldier, the blood and
courage of the private soldiers that made this
result. 1t was the American soldier against the
American soldier. 1t was Saxon blood against
field unless crushed and overwhelmed by superior
force The reason of this statistical and historical
fact is found in the character OF our cluzen SOL
diery. Ii was independent manhood, born and
bred under the institutions of a free government,
and trained by intelligent discipline. The com
mOl soldier was led by patriotic motives de was
devoted to principle, and he fought for principle.
The world has never before witnessed
such prolonged and determined devotion of
people to cause No such armies,
composed of such material and led by such officers,
ever before met in battle. If a division was
broken, they would fight by brigades. If brigades
broke, the regiments would fight alone. And If the
regiment WAS dsOrpaniZed and routed, every man
fought on his own account. Always seeking cover,
the fetfedtll8 WOUlu Senu deadly outlet
in the bosom of his advancing enemy from every
rock and tree that lay in his path. He could be
overcome aud driven of, but he was never democrat
lied and was always ready for fight. Such
patient and heroic sacrifice, such endurance and
such splendid courage, had never been
witnessed before. The records of this war
form the surest and truest test of Ameri-
can manhood. 1t presents the grandest
realization of the success of free government, and
of the power of PERSONAL liberty in the develop
ment of the citizen, and the splendid proves OF his
manhood Such soldiers can only be found where
the nnue' ce of free institutions exist They draw
their inspiration from knowledge and apprecia-
ton of the duties of citizen of free republic.
The character of the soldier rests on his independ-
ent manhood. Our soldiers were not bought by
bounties. They were not meTcenary, nor did they
fight for plumber or reward. They were not forced
into the army They were volunteers who fought,
bed and died for what they believed to be right.
This is the character of the men that
bore the Confederate flag in hundred battles,
and gave to history and to the world the splendid
example of their devotion to duty, and of their IN
faltering courage in every danger
In all the records of this great war and in the
many events and inciden of the battles that were
fought, there will be found no grander act, no
prOuder achievement of human valor, than in the
retaking and holding of the "blOody angle" at
Spottsylvania, by Hood and other brigedes. There
is nothing in authentic history, there is
nothing in tradition Or ictiOnnot even in the ride
of the Six Hundred at Balakava-that can equal,
much less surpase, the grandeur OF the courage of
the m who retook and held the "bloody angle"
1t was the most desperate, the bloodiest encounter
of the war. Hoods brigade, under the i'm
mediate eye of the great commander,
charged upon defiant and victorious foe of five
times their number, drove hi II out of the greater
part of the works he had surprised and captured and
held their position throughout the day and night,
until trees were cut down by bullets, until the
ground red with rivuets of blood and until the
dead were piled up in heaps The sun in his
course has never looked down on scene 80 awful
nod apHI aath uaa Will nturv aPrino i al
offering of their lives on the altar of their country
to save battle about to be lost, And it was saved
All honor to the memory of the heroic dead, who
poured out their life-blOod in the "bloody
angle as a libation to liberty and to save
a great army from ruin and defeat. They sleep the
eternal sleep of death the field where they fell.
slow sleep the brave who sink to rest
BY all their countrys wishes blest!
When spring with dewy fingers cold
Returns to deck this hallOwed mould.
She there shall dress fairer sod,
Than Fancys feet have ever trod.
BY fairy hands their knell Is rung,
BY rorms unseen their dirge is sung:
There Honor comes, pilgrim gray
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
And dwell weeping hermit there"
Again, permit me to convey to the veterans of
DO Dis brigade renewed assurances of the most
Hearty and cordial welcome to this city; and, again
o extend to you, individually, and as a body, the
unlimited freedom of the city 30 long as you shall
emain as our hOnOred guests
The band at the conclusion of the ad-
lress played "Dixie" in a spirited manner,
md brought round of applause from the
audience.
Major Littlefeld read letter from the
president of the association, Col. Wall,
stating that it was impossible for him
% be present and expressing his
regrets thereat. Major Littlefeld then
jook the chair and presided during the
session. In response to the address of
welcome by the mayor, Major Littlefeld
briefly rendered the thanks of the brigade.
Resolutions inviting representatives of
The press to seats at the reporters desk,
and inviting veterans of the Mexican war
to seats in the convention, were unaui-
nously adopted
The register showed the following men,
bers of the brigade to be in attendance:
I. A. Barber, Company g, Fifth regi-
ment, Brennan.
L. j. Newman, Company 1, Fifth regi-
ment, BRENNAN.
X. A. Brantly, Company D. Fifth regi-
meut, BRENNAN.
l. l. Stacey, Company G, Fourth regi-
ment.
j. II. Herbert, Company 1, Fourth regi-
ment, Hubbard City, Hill county.
j. ID. Roberdeau, Company B, Fifth
Austin.
Robert Burns, Fifth regiment, Houston.
W. Il. Handy, Company B, Fourth regi-
ment, Austin.
j: N. Smith, Company X, Eighteenth
regiment, Lexington, Lee county.
W. j. Carroll, Company K, Eighteenth
regiment, Independence, Washington
county.
j. NJ Morphis, captain and A. G. s.,
First regiment, Austin.
VIM. H, Martin, Company X, Fourth
regiment, Athens, Texas.
John j. Haggerty, Company A, Fourth
regiment, Belville.
l.. W. Miller, Company G, Fifth regi-
ment, Rockdale.
T. NJ. Bigbee, Company G, Fifth regi-
ment, Cameron.
r. G. Turnham, Company G, Fifth regi-
ment, Cameron.
j, H. Plastes, Company G, Fourth regi-
ment, Temple.
John W. Gee, Company E, Fifth regi-
nent, Caldwell.
D. Q. Loggins, Company G, Fourth regi-
ment, Ennis.
G, kearse, Company D, Fifth regiment,
Milford.